Biography of Associate Professor Allison Calhoun (Physical Chemistry)
Allison Calhoun is an Associate Professor of Chemistry at Whitman
College in Walla Walla, Washington. She received her Ph.D. in Physical
Chemistry from the University of Georgia in 1996. Prior to pursuing
an academic career, she worked at Imerys Pigments and Additives
in their Performance Minerals division. During her five year tenure
at Imerys, she managed their application laboratory, provided technical
service and support to both internal and external customers, was
the Application Development Leader for the polymers group and participated
in, as a team member and group leader, both fundamental and applied
research and development projects. She has five patents in various
stages of prosecution as well as several publications in peer reviewed
journals. She co-edited the SPE’s Plastics Technicians’
Toolbox Fundamental Books released in May 2002 and is currently
co-writing a polymer science book to be published by Hanser-Gardner
Publishing in early 2005. She served as the House Chair for the
2004 Flexible Packaging Conference jointly hosted by the SPE and
IOPP. Her research interests include surface interactions in filled
polymer systems and the role of oxidation on surface properties
of polyolefins specifically as these processes relate to thin polymeric
films.
Curriculum Vitae
EDUCATION
Doctor of Philosophy |
Department of Chemistry
Major: Physical Chemistry
University of Georgia June 1996
"Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy of Xenon-129 Dissolved in Condensed Media" |
| Bachelor of Science Education |
Major: Biology Education
University of Georgia June 1993 |
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Whitman College, Walla Walla, WA
August 2002-present
-Teach introductory, advanced general chemistry and associated lab, general chemistry lab, physical chemistry, biophysics, aqueous geochemistry, advanced quantum chemistry
-Thesis/Research advisor for nine students
-American Chemical Society Certification Liaison
- Visiting Assistant Professor
Mercer University, Macon, GA
August 2001 - July 2002
-Taught three sections of first semester General Chemistry
-Supervised two undergraduate students on a research project involving the surface chemistry effects of ground calcium carbonate in film
-Member of the Lab User Fee Committee for allocating money within the department
-
R&D Group Leader - PM Americas
Imerys Pigments and Additives, Performance Minerals Business Unit, Sandersville, GA
June 1996 - July 2001
-Developed new products for identified markets based on customer surveys using a "Fitness for Use" process. (Successful commercialization of a product for breathable film - 5/00, PVC siding - 6/98)
-Performed basic research on surface modified calcium carbonates to understand the mechanism of interaction between the coating and the mineral as well as performance attributes in specific applications
-Worked directly with customers on technical service and application development projects related to the use of calcium carbonate in their applications.
-Provided technical literature for use by Sales & Marketing personnel in targeted markets.
-Supervised four technicians and two professionals in technical service and new product development work for the Performance Minerals Business Unit.
-Worked directly with production sites on new product development, QC test procedures and specifications to ensure product fitness for the intended market and that the testing performed is appropriate for the application.
JOURNAL PUBLICATIONS, REPORTS AND BOOKS
-Calhoun, A.; Chiang, E.N. " Determination of the Surface Energetics of Surface Modified Calcium Carbonate Using Inverse Gas Chromatography." Submitted to Journal of Vinyl and Additives , March 2006.
-Calhoun, A .; Peacock, A.J.(June 2006) Polymer Chemistry: Structure, Properties and Applications Hanser-Gardner Publications. Polymer Science Textbook
-Calhoun, A . Nicholson, P.D*.; Barnes, A. * (2006) "The Role of Oxidation on the Surface Energetics of Polypropylene as Determined by Inverse Gas Chromatography." In Press. Polymer Stability and Degradation.
-Calhoun, A . "Correlation of NAA Analysis of Sodium Levels with Hegman Grind Analysis on Dispersant Processed GCCs" October 2004. (internal report submitted to Imerys Pigments and Additives)
-Chiang, E; Calhoun, A . "Surface Energy of Modified Calcium Carbonates as a Function of Functionalized Silane Coating Agents" August 2004. (Internal report submitted to AET, Inc.)
-Calhoun, A . "NAA Analysis of Sodium Levels on High and Low Dispersant Processed GCCs" June 2004. (internal report submitted to Imerys Pigments and Additives)
-Calhoun A . "Analysis of Complaint Films For Residual Catalyst Metal Species" June 2004. (Internal report submitted to AET, Inc.)
-Calhoun, A ; Wagner, J. - co-editors (2004) Plastics Technician's Toolbox ® : Single and Twin Screw Extruders. Society of Plastics Engineers. Polymer Science Textbook
-Calhoun, A ; Wagner, J. - co-editors (2004) Plastics Technician's Toolbox ® : Multi-Screw Extruders, Continuous Mixers and Kneaders. Society of Plastics Engineers. Polymer Science Textbook
-Calhoun, A ; Wagner, J. - co-editors (2004) Plastics Technician's Toolbox ® : Extrusion Processes. Society of Plastics Engineers. Polymer Science Textbook
-Mobley, G.; Boutelle, T; Garrett, S.; Joiner, L.; Calhoun, A. (2002) "Effect of Calcium Carbonate on the Abrasive Wear of Melt Processing Equipment in Filled Systems" Journal of Vinyl and Additives Technology. V8, #4. Peer Reviewed Journal Article
-Calhoun, A : Golmanavich, G (2002) Plastics Technician's Toolbox ® -Fundamental Skills and Polymer Science. Society of Plastics Engineers. Polymer Science Textbook
-Calhoun, A : Golmanavich, G (2002) Plastics Technician's Toolbox ® -Fundamental of Machine Operations. Society of Plastics Engineers. Polymer Science Textbook
-Calhoun, A.R . "Polymer Chemistry" A Chapter in Plastics Technician's Toolbox Society of Plastics Engineers. Brookhaven, CT (2002)
-Calhoun, A.R .; A.D. King Jr. "NMR Chemical Shifts of 129 Xe Dissolved in Liquid Ethers, Secondary Amines and Alkyl Sulfides" Appl. Magn. Reson. 15, 95-106. (1999) (Peer Reviewed)
-Lim, Y-H; A.R. Calhoun ; A.D. King Jr. "NMR Chemical Shifts of 129 Xe Dissolved in Liquid Haloalkanes and Their Mixtures" Appl. Magn. Reson. 12, 555-574 (1997) (Peer Reviewed)
-Calhoun, A.R .; A.D. King Jr.; Y-H Lim. "NMR Chemical Shifts of 129 Xe Dissolved in Liquid Haloalkanes and Their Mixtures". Presented at Southeast-Southwest Joint Regional Meeting of the ACS. Memphis, TN. November 29 - December 1, 1995.
PRESENTATIONS AND PROCEEDINGS
-Ansari, D.M.; Calhoun, A. ; Merriman, P. "The Role of Calcium Carbonate in Microporous Film Applications". Intertech's Functional Fillers and Additives Proceedings. (2001) Paper presented by Dr. Ansari
-Mobley, G.; Boutelle, T.; Garrett, S.; Joiner, L.; Calhoun, A . "The Effect of Calcium Carbonate on the Abrasive Wear of Melt Processing Equipment in Filled Systems" . Vinyltech 2001 - Proceedings. (2001) presented 9/01
-Ansari, D.M.; D.A. Taylor, R.W. Bradshaw; P.D. Clemensen; A. Calhoun . "Choosing the Correct Calcium Carbonate for Opacification and Physical Properties" Intertech's Functional Additives Proceedings. (2000) Paper presented by Mr. Clemensen
-Calhoun, A .; Ansari, D.M. "The Partial Replacement of TiO 2 by Calcium Carbonate in HDPE Films" TAPPI 2000 Proceedings (2000). Paper presented by Dr. Ansari
-Calhoun, A .; R.W. Bradshaw; J.D. Prince. "The Use of Calcium Carbonate to Enhance the Physical Properties of Rigid Vinyl Products" VinylTec '99 Proceedings. 32-37. (1999) presented 9/99
PATENTS
-Calhoun, A.R .; Shurling, D.S. Miller, C.W.; Mobley, G.R.; McConnell, D.A. Patent # 6,582,775 "Particulate Carbonates and Their Preparation and Use in Breathable Films" Issued June 27, 2004. United States Patent.
-Calhoun, A.R .; Shurling, D.S.; Skelhorn, D.A. Patent #6,569,527. "Particulate Carbonates and Their Preparation and Use in Thermoplastic Film Compositions" Granted May 27, 2003 United States Patent
-Skelhorn, D.A.; Calhoun, A . Patent # 69323269 "Mineral Containing Thermoplastic Granules" Granted November 27, 2001 United States Patent
FUNDING/ EQUIPMENT/TESTING GRANTS RECEIVED
12/2005 - NAA testing of soils - Equivalent worth $500.00
6/2005 - Perry Grant $8000.00
1/2005 - Abshire Grant - $2000.00
6/2004 - Washington State Nuclear Research Center $5000.00 Stipend award
3/2004 - NMR donation by Lexmark Industries - Equivalent Worth $40,000
6/2003 - Perry Grant - $6000
6/2003 - AET Student Summer Stipend - $3000
PROFESSIONAL AFILLIATION ACTIVITIES
Work with the Society of Plastics Engineers:
Technical Program Chair for ANTEC '06 Division 44
Responsible for coordinating Flexible Packaging Division's activities and sessions at
SPE's annual technical conference in May 2006.
Technical Program Chair for the Flexible Packaging Conference 2005
Responsible for developing , planning and implementing the technical program for the conference including recruiting speakers for podium and panel presentations, acting as a peer reviewer and organizing the sessions by topic. March 2005
House Chair for Flexible Packaging Conference 2004
Responsible for planning and coordinating the activities at the conference venue including coordinating meals, receptions, exhibition hall design and meeting hall spaces.
Conference Article Reviewer - ANTEC 2003-2005
Plastic Technician's Toolbox©
Society of Plastics Engineers: Member of Steering Committee for the development of the Extrusion Toolbox
August 2002 -May 2004
Society of Plastics Engineers:Member of Steering Committee for the development of the Injection Molding Toolbox
Sept 1999 - May 2002
The Toolboxes are a series of books written to provide a fundamental understanding of a specific method pertinent to the processing of polymers into manufactured goods. These books were developed by a committee of experts, the Steering Committee, who created the table of contents, recruited authors and designed the content necessary for training operators and technicians working in these industries.
HONORS
Society of Plastics Engineers
Outstanding Service Award - May 2002
Certified Plastics Technician - June 1997
University of Georgia
Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant (1996)
Chemistry Department Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award (1994, 1996)
Office of Instructional Development; Award for recognition of Excellence in Teaching (1994)
North Georgia College
Dean's List (Two quarters)
State of Georgia
Paul Douglas Teaching Scholarship Recipient (Four Years)
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